Using Video to Teach “The 3 R’s”

On Earth Day everyone who entered the lobby here at Blackboard’s DC office building was given a gift by the property’s management company: we could choose an apple, orange or banana.

This small gesture in recognition of the 38th Earth Day, coupled with an increase in recycling opportunities around our offices, actually seemed to lead to a raised sense of environmental consciousness.

Of course we could all spend a bit more time thinking about ways to be more strategic in the reduction of our global footprint. For example, even though I commute to and from work by bicycle, and consider myself a decent recycler, this Personal Footprint Calculator from the Global Footprint Network is a sobering reminder of just how much more I could and should be doing.

On a positive note, I think the concept of “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” appears to come naturally to our contemporary generation of learners (like a new “Reading, ‘Riting & ‘Rithmetic”). Perhaps this stems from a natural sense of environmental awareness or maybe it’s something else . . .

Anyone remember what the animated TV series "Schoolhouse Rock!" did for math, grammar and civics lessons? Famous artists are now creating their own public service announcements about the environment spun to catchy, keyboard- and percussion-infused tunes, like this video for Jack Johnson’s song “The 3 R’s”:

I have a feeling if you teach in a classroom you may have integrated Earth Day ideas into your lesson plans this past week. If so, did you use video?

At BlackboardTV we’re always looking to publicize and share great examples of how you’ve used video to complement important themes in your teaching, so please send them along to me at BbTV@blackboard.com.